NIU volleyball (3-21, 1-13 MAC) faltered to Western Michigan University Broncos (14-11, 10-4 MAC) in three sets. It is the 11th sweep of the season for the Huskies.
OUTGUNNED
The Huskies got off to a fast start in the first set going up 4-0 early in a stretch that included 2 service aces from freshman outside hitter Emma McCartney. That was the peak of the frame for NIU, as they would be outscored 25-13 the remainder of the set and fall to the Broncos 25-17. NIU was outhit in this frame with a rate of .103 to Western Michigan’s .306 and the Huskies would also post 8 attack errors in this frame to Western’s mark of 2.
The second set saw the Huskies stifled by the Broncos as NIU never led in the set en route to falling 25-16. The Huskies were outhit again, in this frame with a rate of .150 to Western Michigan’s .429. NIU would continue to struggle with their efficiency on the attack posting 8 attack errors and succumbing to 2 total blocks.
The third set was NIU’s strongest. The Huskies hit at a match high rate of .163 and did effective work at the service line scoring 3 service aces. It still wasn’t enough as Western Michigan was still more efficient on the attack with a .244 hit rate and also stepped up their game defensively, swatting down 4 total blocks. NIU would fall 25-22.
When asked about the biggest challenge Western Michigan presented, NIU volleyball head coach Sondra D’Amore pointed to the Broncos efficiency as a team as a key issue.
“They’re just really efficient, you know, they don’t make a lot of mistakes,” D’Amore said. “They make you earn your points. and I think that’s something that we’ve struggled with throughout the season is earning points.”
NIU posted 22 attack errors to Western Michigan’s 7 across all three sets.
STANDOUT HUSKIES
Freshman outside hitter Ava Grevengoed shined. She had a double-double – her 11th on the season – as she led the Huskies in both kills (11) and digs (17). Grevengoed currently leads the Huskies in kills on the season with 252.
Senior setter Sophie Hurt was a standout. She led the team in assists with 26 and also contributed at the line with 1 service ace and defensively with 6 digs. This is Hurt’s second game in a row posting 20+ assists and her 11th time hitting the mark this season.
When asked about her performance, Hurt gave the credit to her team’s defense.
“I give credit to the defense at the net and behind me,” Hurt said. “I wouldn’t be in that position without them.”
Senior middle blocker Charli Atiemo slammed 6 kills on a hit rate of .500. She also chipped in on defense, popping up 6 digs. Atiemo is currently 3 kills away from hitting the 1000 mark on her career with the Huskies.
STANDOUT BRONCOS
Fifth-year setter Logan Case led the Broncos with 40 assists and had a double-double with 11 digs. Case currently leads the MAC in assists with 1020 this season.
Fifth year outside hitter Keona Salesman was first on the Broncos in kills with 15, hitting at a rate of .412. Salesmen also played a role defensively notching 3 digs and 1 solo block.
Senior outside hitter Julia Marr was second on the Broncos in kills with 10 on a rate of .276. Marr also had 2 digs and 2 total blocks.
UP NEXT
NIU volleyball continues their season at 6 p.m Friday at Victor E. Court in Dekalb as they take on the Bowling Green State University Falcons. Live streaming will be available on ESPN+ and live stats will be available on SIDEARM Sports.
